The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

HISTORY

It is speculated that the Norwich Terrier was developed using the small Irish Terriers and crossing them with other Terrier breeds, including the Border and Cairn. The breed originally had two varieties, one with drop ears and one with prick ears, which were interbred and shown together. The two varieties were eventually designated as separate breeds, the original, prick-eared variety being the Norwich Terrier, and the drop-eared variety being the Norfolk.

The Norwich Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1979.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The versatile, agreeable, game, hardy Norwich is one of the smallest of the working Terriers. It has a natural, weatherproof coat and is sturdy, with good bone and substance. The breed is fairly low to the ground and compact. Honorable scars from fair wear and tear are acceptable and never to be penalized in the show ring. All faults are to be penalized in relation to the degree of deviation from the ideal.

CHARACTERISTICS

The Norwich Terrier is characteristically alert, affectionate, fearless and loyal, never aggressive. It has sensitive prick ears and a slightly foxy expression. Spirited and stocky, they are one of the smallest working Terriers.

HEAD

SKULL - The broad, slightly rounded skull has good width between the ears.

MUZZLE - The length of the strong, wedge-shaped muzzle is one-third less than the distance from the occiput to the well-defined stop. The jaw is clean and strong; tight lipped. Lip pigment is black.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white, large teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES - The small, dark, oval-shaped eyes are placed well apart. They have black rims. The eyes have a bright, keen expression.

NOSE - Nose pigment is black.

EARS - The erect, medium-sized ears are set well apart. They have pointed tips and are carried upright when alert.

NECK

The strong, medium-length neck blends into well laid back shoulders.

FOREQUARTERS

The shoulders are well laid back.

FORELEGS - The legs are short, straight and powerful, with strong pasterns and elbows that lie closely to the ribs.

BODY

The chest is broad and deep. The back and loin are short, with well-sprung ribs that carry well back. The topline is perfectly level.

HINDQUARTERS

The hindquarters are strong, with broad, muscular thighs.

HIND LEGS - The hind legs are short and powerful, with well-turned stifles and low to the ground hocks.

FEET

The feet are round, with thick pads and strong, black nails. They point straight forward when moving and standing.

TAIL

The tail is generally docked to a medium length, set on high with the base level with the topline. It is carried erect.

COAT

The protective outer coat is hard, wiry and straight and lies close to the body. It is about 1˝ to 2 inches long. There is a definite undercoat. The protective mane on the neck and shoulders is longer and forms a ruff at the base of the ears and throat. The legs have moderate furnishings of a harsh texture. The hair on the head, ears and muzzle is short and smooth, except for slight eyebrows and whiskers. They are shown with as natural a coat as possible. Some tidying is necessary to keep the dogs neat, but shaping is to be heavily penalized.

COLOR

All shades of red, wheaten (pale yellow or fawn), black and tan, or grizzle (bluish gray or roan) are permitted.

Serious Faults: White markings.

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

Ideal height, measured at the withers, is 10 inches.

Ideal weight is approximately 12 pounds; should be in proportion to the individual dog's structure and balance. Fit working condition is of utmost importance.

GAIT

Gait is true, low and driving. The topline remains level. The legs move parallel, showing great power of propulsion. In the forequarters, the legs move freely, with the feet and elbows the same distance apart. The good rear angulation exhibits a true, driving movement. When viewed from the side, the hind legs follow in the track of the forelegs, moving smoothly from the hip and flexing well at the stifle and hock.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)

The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an international registry, the United Kennel Club, Inc. is aware that the practices of cropping and docking have been forbidden in some countries. In light of these developments, the United Kennel Club feels that no dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be penalized for a full tail or natural ears.